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Gr. JONES.

GAS GENERATOR. No. 296,290. Patented Apr, 1, 1884.

Ina e L wzwr' Unrrs GOMER- JONES, OF \VASHINGTON, D. .(l, ASSIGNOR TO THE STANDARD I YAPOR FUEL IRON AND STEEL COMPANY OF NEW YORK.

GAS-G EN E'RATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 296,29(l, dated April 1, 1884.

Application filed January 29, 1883. Renewed January 11, 1884. (No model.)

To (tZZ whom may concern.

Be it known that I, GoMER J ones, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas'Generators; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. Y

My invention relates to the art of generating gas from petroleum or other hydrocarbons, and particularly relates to that class in which the gas-producing material is first vaporized by means of steam under regulated'pressure, and then mixed with steam.

. Heretofore the practice has been to generate the vapor by forcing the steam through a body of petroleum or other hydrocarbon in the generating-chamber, and then mix the vapor with steam projected into the upper part of said generating-chamber, or mix the vapor generated as above noted with steam in an outer chamber, which surrounds the vapor-generating chamber. In practice it has been found that gas so generated is saturated with oil, as the steam becomes chilled to such an extent from contact with the cold oil that it will not heat the oil to a high vaporizing-point; or, as has frequently been the case, the oil chills the steam to such an extent that it becomes condensed. In such a case, if the water is not noticed, the generator becomes flooded and the water and oil. pass to the burner, working great damage. To overcome this defect, the oil has been fed in a small stream into the top of a generator provided with shelves arranged in a staggering manner, and upon which the oil flows to the bottom of. the generator, and is met by a current of superheated steam, which takes up the lighter constituents of the oil and conveys them through a vapor-pipe which leads to the furnace, and leaves the heavier constituents to pass to the bottom of the generator, where they accumulate, and, unless withdrawn, compel the superheated steam to pass through them before it can reach the oil passing over the shelves. Steam-heated spheroidal receivers, over the outer walls of which the oil passes, were substituted for the shelves with better results, but without over coming the defects in the method,which,while theoretically different from the former method above described, is practically the same, as

there necessarily must be anaccumulation of heavy hydrocarbon at the bottom of the gen erator, through which the superheated steam must pass before reaching the lighter constituents which are thrown off by the spheroidal receivers. To overcome these defects isthe object of my invention, and I attain the result desired by vaporizing the oil outside of the generator and forcing such vapor under pressure into themixing-chambcr, where it is met by a current of superheated steam forced in the chamber under pressure. It is immaterial, so far as the construction of mixingchamber is concerned, by what means I form my vapor, provided that they are located outside the mixingchamber, and that sufficient pressure can be in vokcd to equalize the press ore of superheated steam forced into said mixing-chamber. Nor do I limit myself to any particular form of mixing-chamber in using the vapor-generator, except that the former should be provided with a steam-supply pipe, a vapor-supply pipe, and a vaporexit pipe.

Referring to the drawings, which represent a device I have practically operated, Figure l is a vertical transverse section of an apparatus with part of the connections in full lines, and Figs. 2 and 3 detail views of one of the parts.

A represents the brick-work having a firechamber, A. Seated upon its walls by means of a flange, B, is a pot-shaped jacket, B, which incloses a second pot, B supported by any suitable means. In this device, however, it is shown attached to the cover B by means of bolts B passing through the flange B It will be noticed that the walls of these jackets are imperforate from top to bottom, and that the pipes all enter from the top. The object in so placing the pipes is this: In all devices that I am aware of the steampipes connected to the inner pot are passed through the outer of the pots become cracked or broken, such IOI) cracks invariably starting from the holes I A pipe, D is connected to the inner end of drilled to introduce the steam-connection. This defect is obviated, as before stated, by

1 introducing the pipes through the cover. The

cover B is attached to the outer jacket, B, by means of bolts B and is provided with screwthreaded openings for the different pipes which enter the spaces between the walls of the jackets.

The space within the walls of jacket B I call the mixingchamber, B, and that between jackets B and B the annular steamspace, B. At thetop of the mixing-chamber is a vapor-pipe, O, which extends vertically through the cover B, and is connected with a horizontal pipe, 0. In the end of the pipe 0 is a needle-valve, C screw-threaded in an internal collar, 0, and projecting into the conical opening in the internal collar, 0 having in front thereof a perforated diaphragm, 0 The upper part of this diaphragm is provided with an upwardly and rearwardly inclined fanshaped groove, 0, the apex of which terminates at the perforation c". The lower half may be dished back, as shown in Fig. 2. In front of this diaphragm the tube is contracted, as at c, for an obvious purpose. Entering into the space between the collars c and c is asuperheated-steam-supply pipe, D, which furnishes the steam for vaporizing the oil admitted to pipe 0 through pipe D above the diaphragm 0 The oil passing through this pi'pe passes down the fan-shaped groove to the perforation, where the current of steam from supply-pipe D strikes and vaporizes the oil. The force of the steam carries the vapor through pipes O and G to the mixing-chamber B.

Owing to the fact that the pipe C is outside the apparatus, the vapor passing through it wouldbecome chilled if some means were not provided for preventing radiation. Iaccomplish this by inclosing pipe (3 in a steam-jacket, 0. This jacket is connected to the main superheatedsteam-supply pipe D", and the space between pipe 0 and the inner wall of the jacket (J should be equal to or larger than the supply-pipe D, so that the steam will not become wire-drawn in passing from pipe D to pipe D The pipe D is jointed to a T-union forming part of the jacket 0. The lower end of this pipe projects through cover B" into the annular steam-space B. The steam which enters this space envelopes jacket B and may be again heated by fire in furnace A, and is withdrawn by means of a pipe, D which extends from the bottom of the chamber B upwardly through the casing to an outlet-pipe, D having valve d, which is closed when it is desired to force steam into the miXingchamber. The object of this pipe. is to withdraw any water that may have accumulated in the jacket, and to furnish a means for the steam to escape when in operation.

Below the valve (1 is a T-union, to which is connected a branch pipe, D, provided with a valve, d, which is closed when it is desired to flush the chamber B through the outlet D pipe D by means of a union having a steamgage, d upon its upper end. The pipe D passes through the cover 13', and may extend to near the bottom of the mixing-chamber B but I prefer to use an enlarged drum or cylinder, D having an opening, (1 at its bottom to permit the steam to pass into the mixing-chamber. The steam passing through this opening passes upwardly and meets the vapor, which is projected downwardly in said mixing-chamber from pipe O. The impact of the two currents thoroughly mixes the vapor and steam, and the mixture passes through the vapor-exit pipe D, which leads to the furnace, where it is burned.

Upon the drum D is arranged a spiral flange, E, having its outer edge just clear of the inside of the jacket B", to permit of its insertion. This flange is so constructed that at any given point its outer edge is higher than the inner edge, which is in contact with the drum. The object of this spiral is to give the contending vapor and superheated steam a whirling motion, so that they will readily comrningle. The flange also serves occasionallyfor instance, when starting the apparatus, and before all its parts have taken up the heat necessary for perfect actionto catch any oil that may drip from pipe 0. This is rarely the case; but if any should drip it would, owing to the inclined form of the spiral flange, rest against the drum, and the heat therefrom would vaporize the oil before it had traveled the whole length of the flange, thus obviating the necessity for any drawing-off pipe at the bottom of the mixing-chamber.

Upon each of the pipes D, D*, D, D and D are valves to control the flow through said pipes. The pipes D and D are each provided with a pressure-regulating valve, which may be set at a certain pressure, so that, no matter what the pressure may be in the superheater, the pressure in the mixing-chamber will be uniform and unvarying, The oil-supply pipe D is also provided with a regulator-valve, which I intend making the subject-matter for a separate application. This valve is pro- Vided with means by which any amount of oil may be supplied for vaporization, and is so arranged that it will indicate what amount is passing through it, and the amount may be regulated at pleasure. This ora similar valve is necessary to the proper operation of my machine, as the supply of oil passing to the vaporizer must be exactly known if the best result is to be produced. Furthermore, as I only use (compared with other devices) a small quantity of oil, some means for reducing the flow to the minimum must be used, and this valve accomplishes that result.

The pipes which pass through the cover B are screw-threaded to correspond with screwthreads in the head.

Suspended in any suitable manner from and having its upper edge near the under side of the cover is a cup-shaped deflector, D ,which breaks the current and prevents the commin- I all the oil is thoroughly vaporized. This gas gledvapors from passingdirectly to the pipe D.

vThe operation of the device is as follows: The parts being arranged as described, the superheated steam is admitted to the annular steamspace B by opening cocks d in pipe I) and d in pipe D the current of steam passing through the space E flushes the latter of any water of condensation and relieves it of any dead air which may have accumulated since the last fire. After the jackets have become suficiently heated, the cock d.is opened and the steam allowed to enter the mixing-chamher through pipes D D and drum D Valve (2* in steam-pipe D is now opened and a current of steam allowed to pass through the needle-valve chamber and force its way into chamber B through pipes G 0, and the cool: it in pipe D opened to allow the current to pass-out. As the steam-pipes D and D are connect-ed to the same snperheater, the temperature of the steam in both pipes will be the same; but owing to an arrangement of valves, the current through the needle-valve can be introduced under greater pressure than that through pipe D and its connections. Therefore the currents entering the mixingchamber through pipe 0 will be projected forcibly into said mixing-chamber and will become commingled with the superheated steam arising from bottom of drum 1). Oil is now admitted through pipe D, and it trickles down the fanshaped groove in the diaphragm c to its perforation c where the blast of superheated steam will strike and vaporize it. Now, if no means were provided for keeping up the heat the temperature of the vapor would become reduced and fall below the point of the incoming steam through the needlevalve, and condensed water and partially-Va porized oil would pass into the mixingchamher; but by supplying heat at the point and moment of vaporization to replace the heat absorbed by the vaporization of the oil this resuit is obviated, and completely-vaporized oil is fed into the mixing-chamber. This is produced by inclosing the pipe 6 in steam-jacket G formed by enlarging the pipe D The heat from the superheated steam passing through this pipe is absorbed by thevapor and the temperature in the two pipes equalized. The superheated steam through the space B may lose some of its heat in its circuitous route to the mixingchamber, and when such is the case it may be heated by a tire in the furnace A. The superheated steam in the space H is drawn from near the bottom of the space by pipe D, so that the steam forced into said space will diffuse itself over the whole outer surface of jacket 13*. The steam conveyed through pipe D is passed through the pipes D and D and drum D and out into the chamber B, where it is whirled upwardly to meet the descending and whirling current of vapor forced through pipe 0. The steam and vapor meeting in this manner will become thoroughly mixed and produce a gas in which is then passed through pipe B, which leads '30s the furnace, where it is burned. 7:

If desired, the spiral may be dispensed with and tarantula-jets attached to the mouths of the vapor-pipe C and the drum D Said jets will revolve by the pressure of the vapor and superheated steam, and will give'to each a whirling or gyratory motion.

I do not claim in this application the method of generating the gas, as that forms the subject-matter of application X0. 117,097, filed January 11, 1884.

Having thus described my invention, Iclaim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- 1. In agas-generator, the combination of two imperforate jackets, one within the other, 8 forming a steam-space, having inlet and outlet pipes which enter through the c'over for said jackets, said cover having supply and exhaust pipes opening into the mixing-chamber formed by said cover and the inner jacket, 9Q substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

' 2. In a gas-generator, the combination of imperforate jackets B B, cover B, pipes 0, D D*, D, and D", passing through said cover, and a pipe, D connecting pipes D* and D, substantially as described.

3. In a gas-generator, the combination of a mixing-chamber having a vapor-supply pipe and a vapor-exhaust pipe, a drum suspended within said mixingchamber and connected with a steam-supply pipe, and having an opening connecting its interior with the mixingchamber and a spiral interposed between the walls of the jacket and drum and between the I05 opening in said drum and vapor-exhaust pipe, substantially as described.

a. In a gasgenerator, the combination of two imperforate jackets, one within the other, and forming a chamber, and an exhaust-pipe -I 10 extending down through said chamber below the bottom of the inner jacket, for the purpose set forth.

5. In a gas-generator, the combination of two imperforate jackets, one within the other, 1 r 5 a cover for said jackets, a steam-supply pipe passing through said cover into the space between the jackets, an exhaust-pipe extending through the cover and between the jackets, a .pipe connected to said exhaust-pipe and passing through the cover to near the bottom of the mixing-chamber, and an exit-pipe extending through the cover from said mixing-chamber, for the purpose set forth.

6. In a gas-generator, the combination of two imperforate jackets, one within the other,

a cover for said jackets, a steam-supply pipe passing through said cover, an exhaust-pipe extending through the cover and between the jackets, a pipe-connection through said exhaust-pipe and extending through the cover to near the bottom of the mixing-chamber, a vapor-supply pipe passing through the cover into the mixingchamber, and an eXit-pipe extending through said cover from said mixing-chamber, substantially as described.

7. In a gas-generator, a steanrsupply pipe provided with a needle-valve and a diaphragm having a perforation and a fan-shaped groove which terminates at the perforation, in combination with an oilsupply pipe arranged, substantially as described, to drop the oil in said groove, for the purpose set forth.

8. Iri a generator, the combination of a mixing-chamber having a steam-inlet pipe, a vapor-inlet pipe, and an exhaust-pipe, a vaporgenerator outside of the mixing-chamber, and consisting of a steam-supply pipe, an oil-supply pipe opening into the steam-supply pipe, at vapor-pipe connected to the vapor-inlet pipe of the mixing-chamber and to the steam-sup ply pipe, and in which the vapor is formed by the commingling of the steam and oil, and

means, substantially as described, for heating 20 the vapor in said vapor-pipe at the moment of vaporization, for the purpose set forth. 9. In a gas-generator, the combination of a mixing-chamber, a steam-supply pipe having a needle-valve, anoil-supply pipe, in con- 25 nection with the needle-valve, a vapor-pipe in which the oil and steam are comniingled, and which leads to the mixing chamber, and a steam j acket surrounding the vapor-pipe, and having an outlet which leads to said mixingo chamber, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GOMER JONES. \Vitnesses:

WALTER P. J ONES, M. F. HALLEOK. 

